New York City drivers turn to TikTok to share illegal dodging tips

When it comes to dodging the new congestion charge, erring drivers have come up with some imaginative but still illegal ways

New York City recently became the first city in the United States to impose a congestion toll on drivers entering its busiest areas, with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) charging most drivers a $15 toll.

However, things haven’t gone as smoothly as authorities had hoped, and some drivers have come up with creative (and illegal) ways to dodge the toll. In fact, some people, eager to help others avoid paying their fair share of the congestion charge, have used social media to reach as many people as possible.

On TikTok, drivers have shared several videos showing off their tricks for avoiding automatic detection cameras, while a Reddit thread revealed its own advice.

From bird poop to James Bond-esque equipment

According to a report new york timesNew York City drivers have many ways to avoid paying toll fines, from low-tech but effective methods to more sophisticated devices.

See: New York City will charge you $15 to enter parts of Manhattan, a first for an American city

Drivers apply sprays, put on reflective screens and even scratch off specific letters and numbers from their license plates. Some people use fake paper labels or tape and stickers on them. Creativity extends online: TikTok users share tips for evading pay cameras — like a cunning route through a parking lot between 60th and 61st Streets. Reddit users on the subreddit “Unethical Life Pro Tips” also came up with ideas, recommending everything from smearing your plate with bird poop to buying a device that blocks your plate with the push of a button.

Fight ghost cars

The project is expected to generate approximately $500 million in annual revenue and is highly risky. But officials worry about the toll of the rise of so-called “ghost cars,” cars that can’t be traced by cameras and tolls because their license plates have been altered or forged. Of course, the authorities are not going to sit idly by.

Over 20,000 ghost cars have been seized over the past three years, with the NYPD and Department of Health impounding more than 7,500 vehicles this year alone. MTA Chief Security Officer Michael Kemper reported that 700 people have been arrested in 2024 tax evasion crackdowns.

But the risk goes beyond lost revenue. Law enforcement officials warn that ghost cars are often linked to violent crimes, including shootings and robberies. By removing these vehicles from the streets, the city not only protects its budget, but also addresses a very serious public safety issue.

As New York City ramps up congestion pricing to ease congestion and raise transportation funds, the ongoing battle against tax evaders highlights the lengths some will go to cheat the system. Still, officials are determined to get their message across: No one gets a free ride.